Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Indianola, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It captures a prolonged history by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. If collected close to the scalp, hair analysis can detect alcohol and various drugs for up to three months. This method is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section made up of about 200 strands of hair (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for testing. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is advised. Use a jeweler’s scale for precise weighing. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When referring to head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types, including facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory workflow comprises four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the primary entry of a sample into the lab system, confirming the integrity of the seal and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening serves as an initial evaluation for drug presence. It’s a cost-effective method to rule out drugs in most samples, though any positive findings need confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that yield presumptive positives during Screening require second-stage confirmation.

Upon a presumptive positive in Screening, further hair is sourced from the initial batch for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from the hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid)—a factor that makes hair testing uniquely challenging.

Confirmation for any positive results is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation, as needed. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, complies with both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a shorter window.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair tests are challenging to cheat, ensuring more reliable results.
• Historical usage data: They illustrate long-term drug use patterns, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair testing typically costs more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The benefits of hair follicle testing over urine tests in Indianola, PA, are compelling. Hair tests offer superior detection by catching drug use over a more extended timeframe, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection window, limiting historical insight. Hair testing provides greater reliability and accuracy, fundamental for employers.

Extended Detection Window

In Indianola, PA, hair follicle testing offers an expanded detection window, up to 90 days, capturing long-term substance history. This extensive visibility allows employers comprehensive understanding of an individual's drug use, forming a vital part of thorough assessments for hiring or ongoing employee evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The robustness of hair follicle testing in Indianola, PA, highlights its resistance to tampering efforts. This method significantly minimizes risks associated with sample adulteration, offering clear, consistent, and indisputable results, thereby reinforcing the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Indianola, PA residents benefit from broad access to hair follicle testing through both local and nationwide testing centers. Convenience is key, with many locations providing quick, easy, and hassle-free access, ensuring that you can find a convenient center wherever you are.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process in Indianola, PA for hair follicle testing is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to collecting samples and receiving results, we prioritize privacy and simplicity, addressing any privacy concerns and ensuring the user experience is seamless.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing in Indianola, PA, stands out for its affordability and quick service. Competitive prices paired with fast processing make it an excellent value for companies of all sizes, ensuring peace of mind through cost-effective, timely solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Indianola, PA, hair follicle drug testing signifies speed, precision, and high reliability. This type of testing ensures rapid identification of substances with remarkable accuracy. The result data demonstrates dependability and timeliness, vital for urgent decision-making in both workplace and personal scenarios.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Indianola, PA, is essential for maintaining workplace policy compliance. It aids in mitigating legal risks and ensures safety by aligning with drug-free workplace standards, offering employers a sense of security and Peace of Mind in their operational practices.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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